Professor Kwadwo Owusu

Director, Centre for Climate Change & Sustainability Studies

Contact info kowusu@ug.edu.gh

About

Courses Taught

Undergraduate:

GEOD203/GEOG213: Weather and Climate

GEOG342: Climatology

GEOG 481: Climatic Change: Arid and Semi-Arid Lands

GEOG 484: Climate and Society

Graduate

CCSD 601: Climate Change: Science and Evidence

CCSD 606: Climate Change and Society

 

Education

2009: PhD, Geography, University of Florida, USA 

2004: MSc, Geography, University of Florida, USA

1998: BA,  Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana

Research Interest

Current and Past Research 

  • 2016-Principal Investigator, Climate Smart Cocoa Systems for Ghana (CLIMCOCOA) DANIDA-South Driven Research Projects No.16-P02
  • 2017-Co-Investigator, Building Stronger Universities Phase III (BSU III). DANIDA 
  • 2017-Principal Investigator, The Socio-economic Impacts of Bui Dam on Downstream Non-Resettled Communities. Office of Research, Innovation and Development University of Ghana Research Fund. 7th Call for Proposals 
  • 214-Co-Investigator, Building Stronger Universities Phase II (BSU II). DANIDA 
  • 2013-Principal Investigator, Climate Change and Agricultural Adaptation Measures in the Transition Zone of Mid-Ghana. United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the African and Latin America Resilience to Climate Change (ARCC)

 

Publications

Journal Articles

  1. Koranteng, A. F., Obour, P. B. & Owusu, K. (2024) Government rainwater harvesting initiative in northern Ghana and its impacts on local livelihoods and work-life balance: evidence from Savelugu Municipality, Local Environment, DOI: 10.1080/13549839.2024.2368526
  2. Asitoakor, B. K.  Ræbild, A., Asare, R., Vaast, P.  Howe, A. G. Eziah, V. Y., Owusu, K., Mensah, E. O.  Kotey, D. A. & Ravn, H. P. (2024) The potential of selected shade tree species for managing mirids and black pod disease infection in cocoa agroforestry systems in Ghana, Crop Protection, Volume 184, 106810
  3. Owusu, K., Obour, P. B., Asiedu, A. B., & Dye, B. J. (2023). Post‐dam construction and livelihood revitalization of affected communities at Ghana's Bui dam. In Natural Resources Forum. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
  4. Mensah, E. O.  Ræbild, A., Asare, R., Amoatey, C. A., Markussen, B., Owusu, K., Asitoakor, B. K. & Vaast, P. (2023) Combined effects of shade and drought on physiology, growth, and yield of mature cocoa trees. Science of the Total Environment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165657
  5. Herron, C. H., Waylen, P.  & Owusu, K., (2023). Spatial and temporal variability in the characteristics of extreme daily rainfalls in Ghana. Natural Hazards. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-023-05876-4
  6. Asitoakor, B. K., Asare, R., Ræbild, A., Ravn, H. P., Eziah, V. Y., Owusu, K., Mensah, E. O. & Vaast, P. (2022) Influences of Climate Variability on Cocoa Health and Productivity in Agroforestry Systems in Ghana. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 327 1-13
  7. Asitoakor, B. K., Vaast, P., Ræbild, A., Ravn, H. P., Eziah, V. Y., Owusu, K., ... & Asare, R. (2022). Selected shade tree species improved cocoa yields in low-input agroforestry systems in Ghana.  Agricultural Systems, 202, 103476.
  8. Mensah, E. O., Asare, R., Vaast, P., Amoatey, C. A., Markussen, B., Owusu, K., Asitoakor, B. K. & Ræbild, A. (2022) Limited effects of shade on physiological performances of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) under elevated temperature. Environmental and Experimental Botany. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2022.104983
  9. Obour, P. B., Arthur, I. K. & Owusu, K. (2022) The 2020 Maize Production Failure in Ghana: A Case Study of Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality. Sustainability, 14, 3514. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063514
  10. Padi, M., Foli, B. A. K., Nyadjro, E. S., Owusu, K., & Wiafe, G. (2021). Extreme Rainfall Events over Accra, Ghana, in Recent Years. Remote Sensing in Earth Systems Sciences, 1-12.
  11. Klutse, N.A.B., Owusu, K., Nkrumah, F., & Anang, O. A. (2021) Projected rainfall changes and their implications for rainfed agriculture in northern Ghana. Weather, 99(99). https://doi.org/10.1002/wea.4015
  12. Akugre, F. A., Owusu, K., Wrigley-Asante, C.,  & Lawson, E. T. (2021). How do land tenure rights influence adaptive responses of farmers? A study of crop farmers from semi-arid Ghana" GeoJournal, 1-16. https://DOI.org/10.1007/s10708-021-10372-y 
  13. Klutse, N. A. B., Owusu, K., & Boafo, Y. A. (2020). Projected temperature increases over northern Ghana. SN Applied Sciences, 2(8), 1-14.
  14. Sowah, A. N. A., Owusu, K., Yankson, P. W. K., & Quansah, E. (2020). Effects of socio-cultural norms on smallholder adaptation to climate change in Nkoranza South municipality, Ghana. Development in Practice, 1-13.
  15. Obour P. B., Dadzie, F. A., Arthur E, Munkholm, L. J., Saba, C. K. S., Rubæk, G. H. & Owusu, K. (2020). Integration of farmers’ knowledge and science-based assessment of soil quality for peri-urban vegetable production in Ghana. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 35, 128–139. https://doi.org/10.1017/ S1742170518000340
  16. Owusu, K., Obour, P. B., Oppong, R., & Boadi, S. A. (2020). Climate change impacts on staple root and tuber crops production: implications for smallholder farmers' livelihoods in rural Ghana. International Journal of Sustainable Society, 12(3), 253-265.
  17. Owusu, K, Emmanuel A. K, Musah-Surugu, I. J. &  Yankson, P. W. K. (2019) "The effects of 2015 El Nino on smallholder maize production in the transitional ecological zone of Ghana", International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, https:// doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-02-2018-0014
  18. Owusu K., Boadi, S. A & Serlom D (2019) El Niño-Southern Oscillation, rainfall variability and sustainable agricultural development in the Ho Municipality, Ghana. Natural Resources Forum.43(1) 31-40 DOI: 10.1111/1477-8947.1216
  19. Owusu, K., Asiedu, A. B., Yankson, P. W. K. & Boafo Y. A. (2019) Impacts of Ghana’s Bui dam hydroelectricity project on the livelihood of downstream non-resettled communities. Sustainability Science 14(2) 487-499 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-018-0588-8
  20. Owusu, K. (2018). Rainfall changes in the savannah zone of northern Ghana 1961–2010. Weather, 73(2), 46-50.
  21. Alare, R. S., Owusu E. H. & Owusu K. (2018) Climate Smart Agriculture Practices in Semi-arid Northern Ghana: Implications for Sustainable Livelihoods. Journal of Sustainable Development; 11(5) 57-70 doi:10.5539/jsd.v11n5p57
  22. Musah-Surugu, J. I., Owusu, K., Yankson, P. W. K. & Ayisi, E. K. (2018) Mainstreaming climate change into local governance: financing and budgetary compliance in selected local governments in Ghana. Development in Practice, 28:1, 6580, DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2018.1398717
  23. Abass, A. Y., Mensah, A., Salifu, M. & Owusu, K. (2018) Social Differences in the Vulnerability and Adaptation Patterns among Smallholder Farmers: Evidence from Lawra District in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development 9(10) 175-18
  24. Owusu, K., Yankson, P. W. K., Asiedu, A. B. & Obour, P. B. (2017) Resource utilization conflict in downstream non-resettled communities of the Bui Dam in Ghana. Natural Resources Forum 41, 234–243 DOI: 10.1111/1477-8947.12139
  25. Wrigley-Asante, C., Owusu, K., Egyir, I. S. & Owiyo, T. M. (2017) Gender dimensions of climate change adaptation practices: the experiences of smallholder crop farmers in the transition zone of Ghana. African Geographical Review, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19376812.2017.1340168s
  26. Quagraine, K. A., Klutse, N. A. B., Nkrumah, F., Adukpo, D. C. & Owusu, K. (2017) Changes in Rainfall Characteristics in Wenchi and Saltpond Farming Areas of Ghana. International Journal of Geosciences Vol 8, 305-317
  27. Boadi, S. A., & Owusu, K. (2017). Impact of Climate Change and Variability on Hydropower in Ghana. African Geographical Review 1-15    http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19376812.2017.1284598
  28. Yankson, P. W. K., Asiedu, A. B., Owusu, K, Urban, F. & Siciliano, G. (2017) The Livelihood Challenges of Resettled Communities of the Bui Dam Project in Ghana and the Role of Chinese Dam-builders -Development Policy Review, Dev Policy Rev. (In press). doi:10.1111/dpr.12259
  29. Owusu, K. & Teye J. K. (2015) Supplementing urban water supply with rainwater harvesting in Accra, Ghana. International Journal of Water Resources Development 31(4): 630-639
  30. Klutse, N. A. B., Sylla, M. B., Arona Dhiédiou , Kamga, A., Abdou, A., Lamptey, B.,  Gbobaniyi, E., Owusu, K., Lennard , C., Hewitson , B., Diosio, A.,  Nikulin, G., Panitz, H., & Büchner, M.  (2015) Daily Characteristics of West African Monsoon Rainfall in CORDEX Regional Climate Models. Theoretical and applied Climatology. DOI:10.1007/s00704-014-1352-3
  31. Obour, P. B., Owusu, K., Agyeman, E. A., Ahenkan, A. & Àngel Navarro Madrid (2015) The impacts of dams on local livelihoods: a study of the Bui Hydroelectric Project in Ghana, International Journal of Water Resources Development, DOI:10.1080/07900627.2015.1022892
  32. Klutse, N. A. B., Fred Aboagye-Antwi, F., Owusu, K. & Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y. (2014) Assessment of Patterns of Climate Variables and Malaria Cases in Two Ecological Zones of Ghana. Open Journal of Ecology, 4, 764-775
  33. Waylen, P. R. & Owusu, K. (2014) Changes in Expectations and Extremes in the Rainfall Climatology of Accra, Ghana, 1895-2005. Applied Geography 52, 99-109
  34. Nkrumah, F., Klutse, N. A. B., Adukpo, D. C., Owusu, K., Quagraine, K. A., Owusu, A., & Gutowski, W. (2014). Rainfall variability over Ghana: model versus rain gauge observation. International Journal of Geosciences, 5(7), 673-683.
  35. Gyau, A., Franzel, S., Chiatoh, M., Nimino, G. & Owusu, K. (2014) Collective action to improve market access for smallholder producers of agroforestry products: key lessons learned with insights from Cameroon’s experience, Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, Vol 6, 68-72
  36. Klutse, N. A. B., Owusu, K., Adukpo, D,C.  Nkrumah, F., Quagraine, K., Owusu A. &  Gutowski W. J. (2013) Farmer’s observation on climate change impacts on maize (Zea mays) production in a selected agroecological zone in Ghana. Research Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Management. Vol. 2 (12) 394-402
  37. Owusu, K. & Waylen, P. R. (2013) The changing rainy season climatology of mid-Ghana. Theoretical and applied Climatology Vol. 112 (3-4) 419-430
  38. Owusu, K. & Klutse, N. A. B. (2013) Simulation of the Rainfall Regime over Ghana from CORDEX. International Journal of Geosciences Vol. 4, 785-791
  39. Owusu, K. & Waylen, P. R. (2013) Identification of historic shifts in daily rainfall regime, Wenchi, Ghana. Climatic Change Vol. 117 (1-2) 133-147
  40. Owusu, K, Asiedu A.B., Yankson P.W. K. & Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y. (2013) An Assessment of Climate and Climate Change Content of Courses and Research at the University of Ghana. NCTE Tertiary Education Series Vol.6 (1) 1-12
  41. Owusu, K (Forthcoming) Climate Change Scenarios “Overarching Issues in the Global Debate on Climate Change” Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences. Annual compendium of Special Events 2010.  Proceedings of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences Issue Number 9964-950-42-X.
  42. Oteng-Ababio, M., Owusu, K. & Addo K. A. (2011) The Vulnerable State of the Ghana Coast: The Case of Faana-Bortianor. Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 3:2 429-442
  43. Owusu, K. & Waylen, P. R. (2009) Trends in Spatio-Temporal Rainfall Variability in Ghana, (1951-2000). Weather 64: 5 115-120
  44. Owusu, K., Waylen, P. R. & Qui, Y. (2008) Changing Rainfall Inputs in the Volta Basin: Implications for Water Sharing in Ghana. GeoJournal Vol.71: (4) 201-210

 Book

  1. Olwig, M. F., Skovmand Bosselmann, A., & Owusu, K. (2024). Agroforestry as Climate Change Adaptation: The Case of Cocoa Farming in Ghana (p. 171). Springer Nature.

Book Chapters

  1. Arthur I. K., Owusu K., Obour P. B. & Egyir, S. (2023) Climate Change, Urban Heat Island Effect, and Adaptation Strategies of Vegetable Farmers in Accra. In: W. Leal Filho et al. (eds.), Handbook of Nature-Based Solutions to Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98067-2_35-1
  2. Owusu K. & Obour P. B. (2023) Government Rainwater Harvesting Program in Drylands of Northern Ghana. In: W. Leal Filho et al. (eds.), Handbook of Nature-Based Solutions to Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98067-2_4-1
  3. Boadi, S.A., Olwig, M.F., Asare, R., Bosselmann, A.S. & Owusu, K. (2022). The Role of Innovation in Sustainable Cocoa Cultivation: Moving Beyond Mitigation and Adaptation. In: Coromaldi, M., Auci, S. (eds) Climate-Induced Innovation. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-01330-0_3
  4. Obour P.B., Owusu K. (2021) Climate Change Adaptation and Transformation of Smallholder Farming System in Mid-Ghana. In book: Leal Filho W., Luetz J., Ayal D. (eds) Handbook of Climate Change Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22759-3_257-1
  5. Owusu, K., & Obour, P. B. (2020). Urban flooding, adaptation strategies and resilience: A case study of Accra, Ghana. In: Leal Filho W., Ogugu N., Adelake L., Ayal D., da Silva I. (Eds.). African Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42091-8_249-1
  6. Owusu, K., Yankson, P. W. K., Asiedu, A. B. &Tutu-Benefor, T. (2019) Climate Change Impacts on Two Coastal Metropolitan Areas in Ghana In book: Climate Change in Ghana. The Human dimension. Publisher: Afram Publication (Ghana) Limited Eds. Coudjoe, S. & Dovie. B. D.
  7. Yankson, P.W.K., Owusu K. and Asiedu, A.B. (2017). The environmental and social governance of the Bui Dam Project in Ghana, In, Giuseppina Siciliano and Frauke Urban (Eds) Chinese Hydropower Development in Africa and Asia: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Global Dam-Building, Routledge, Chapter 6, page 100-114
  8. Obour, P.B., Owusu, K and Teye, J.K. (2017). From seasonal migrants to settlers: climate change and permanent migration to the transitional zone of Ghana. In Steve Tonah, Mary Boatemaa Setrana and John A. Arthur (Eds), Migration and Development in Africa: Trends, Challenges and Policy Implications, Publishers, Lexington Books, USA, Chapter 8, page 147-164
  9. Owusu, K., Obour, P. B., & Baffour-Asare, S. (2015). Climate Variability and Climate Change Impacts on Smallholder Farmers in the Akuapem North District, Ghana.  In W. Leal Filho (Ed.), Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation (pp.1-13). Heidelberg Berlin: Springer. ISBN 9783642386695
  10. Teye, J. K., & Owusu, K. (2015). Dealing with climate change in the Coastal Savannah Zone of Ghana: In Situ Adaptation Strategies and Migration. In F. Hillmann, M. Pahl, B.  Rafflenbeul & H. Sterly (Eds.), Environmental Change, Adaptation and Migration (pp. 223-244). UK: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN: 9781137538901
  11. Gyaase, P. O., & Owusu, K. (2014). Dissemination of Climatic Information and Market Driven Extension Services to Smallholder Farmers in Africa Using Mobile Technology: The Case of Esoko Ghana Commodity Index. In K.E. Skouby & W. Idongesit, (Eds.), The African Mobile Story (pp. 139-154). Aalborg: River Publishers.  ISBN: 9788793102637

Technical Reports

  1. Agyemang, E., Anderson, B., Owusu, K., Patiño Quinchía, J., & Trémolières, M. (2023, May). Ensuring sustainability via accessible transport systems for all in Accra and Kumasi. In E3S Web of Conferences (Vol. 418, p. 02001).
  2. Owusu, K., Ahenkan, A. & Twum, E. (2015) QA/QC Plan and Guidance on Uncertainty Management for National Greenhouse Gas Inventory. EPA/UNDP, Accra, Ghana
  3. Egyir, I. S., Owusu, K., Jatoe, J. D. & Wrigley-Asante, C. (2014) Climate Change and Agricultural Adaptation Measures in the Transition Zone of Mid-Ghana. Final Research Report. USAID
  4. Owusu, K. (2013) Assessment of Challenges and Opportunities for Integrating Climate Change into City Level Planning in Metropolitan Areas in Ghana.  EPA/UNDP, Accra Ghana
  5. Nelson, W., Yaro, J., Owusu, K. & Twumasi, K. (2012) National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. EPA Accra Ghana
  6. Owusu, K. (2012). Assessment of Challenges and Opportunities for Integrating Climate Change into City Level Planning in Metropolitan Areas in Ghana. A consultancy report for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Accra.
  7. Oppong-Boadi, K. Y., Tutu Benefoh, D. Adu, J., Obeng-Ofori, D., Tutu, K. Owusu, K., Awudi, G. Oduro-Amoateng, M. & Oppong, S. K.  (2011) Ghana’s second national Communication to the UNFCCC. EPA Accra, Ghana. 
  8. Owusu, K. (2010) Further Work on Ghana’s List of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAS) for Energy, Transport and Infrastructure Sectors submitted to the UNFCCC. Final Report, Environmental Protection Agency. Accra, Ghana December 2010
  9. Canales, G., Coles, B., Cornejo, C., Fletcher, T., Manganyi, T., Owusu, K., Painter, K., Pellish, H., Stonerook, E. & Wilsey, D. (2005) Perceptions and Attitudes of Smallholder Farmers in North Central Florida regarding the Potential Usefulness of Seasonal Climate Forecasts. Publication of the Southeast Climate Consortium Technical Report Series: SECC-50-003 Gainesville, FL, July 2005